Labh Panchami: The Final Day of Diwali Celebrations

Labh Panchami marks the conclusion of Diwali festivities and is celebrated with great enthusiasm, especially in Gujarat. Falling on the fifth day (Panchami) of the Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) during the Kartik month, this day signifies new beginnings, prosperity, and the pursuit of knowledge. It is also known as Saubhagya Panchami, Gyaan Panchami, or Laakheni Panchami, each name reflecting different aspects of fortune and learning.

In 2024, Labh Panchami will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 6.

Labh Panchami holds particular significance as the first operational day of the Gujarati New Year. Businesses reopen with pujas to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha, seeking success and good fortune. Families exchange sweets and gifts, reinforcing personal and professional bonds. This auspicious day encourages starting new ventures and emphasizes acts of charity and wisdom, ensuring both material and spiritual well-being for the year ahead.

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Important timings

Sunrise – November 06, 06:39 AM
Sunset – November 06, 05:41 PM
Panchami Tithi Timing – November 06, 12:17 AM – November 07, 12:41 AM
Labh Panchami Puja Muhurat – November 06, 06:39 AM – 10:20 AM

The Essence of Labh Panchami

The term ‘Labh’ means ‘benefit’ or ‘profit’. As the final day of the Diwali celebrations, Labh Panchami holds immense significance, especially in Gujarat. This day marks a time to seek divine blessings from Goddess Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) and Lord Ganesha (remover of obstacles) for a prosperous year ahead. The festival is particularly cherished by the business community, as many merchants and shop owners reopen their establishments on this day, making it the first working day of the Gujarati New Year.

Labh Panchami represents more than just financial success—it emphasizes personal renewal as well. New ventures are initiated, account books are worshipped, and Sharda Puja is performed by those who may have missed it on Diwali. The day also strengthens personal and social bonds, with people visiting friends and family, exchanging sweets and gifts as a symbol of goodwill and renewed relationships.

On this occasion, acts of charity—such as donating food, clothes, or money to the needy—are highly encouraged, reflecting the festival’s deeper focus on spiritual well-being alongside material success. Thus, Labh Panchami embodies the perfect blend of prosperity, new beginnings, and nurturing relationships.

Rituals and Customs of Labh Panchami

Labh Panchami is celebrated with a variety of rituals that emphasize prosperity, knowledge, and goodwill. These customs not only mark the start of the business year but also strengthen personal bonds and encourage acts of charity. Below are the key rituals associated with this auspicious occasion:

1. Sharda Puja

For those who could not perform Sharda Puja on Diwali, Labh Panchami provides a second opportunity to complete this important ritual. Sharda Puja involves the worship of Goddess Saraswati, the deity of wisdom and knowledge. This ritual ensures that devotees are blessed with clarity, intelligence, and learning for the year ahead. Students, scholars, and professionals also take part in this puja, seeking intellectual growth and mental peace.

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2. Opening New Business Ventures and Ledgers

Labh Panchami is an especially significant day for the business community in Gujarat. Many business owners open their shops and offices for the first time in the New Year. New account ledgers, or ‘Khatu,’ are worshipped to ensure financial prosperity. It is customary to write ‘Shubh’ (auspicious) on the left side of the first page, ‘Labh’ (profit) on the right side, and draw a Swastika symbol in the center. This ritual reflects the hope for a profitable and successful year ahead.

3. Worship of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha

Devotees offer prayers to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha to seek wealth, prosperity, and the removal of obstacles. Lakshmi is worshipped with roses, perfumes, fruits, and other offerings to attract fortune. Lord Ganesha, known as the remover of hurdles, is offered sandalwood paste, modaks (sweets), rice grains, and flowers. Together, the worship of Lakshmi and Ganesha ensures both material prosperity and smooth progress in personal and professional endeavors.

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4. Exchanging Sweets and Strengthening Bonds

An essential part of Labh Panchami celebrations involves visiting friends, family, and business associates. People exchange sweets and gifts as a symbol of sweetened relationships and renewed goodwill. These exchanges reinforce both personal and professional ties, ensuring harmonious interactions in the coming year.

5. Worship of Books and Knowledge

In alignment with Gyaan Panchami, another name for Labh Panchami, some communities also worship books, ledgers, and educational tools. This practice is especially observed by students and professionals, reflecting the importance of knowledge, wisdom, and intellectual growth.

6. Charity and Donations

Labh Panchami encourages acts of charity, such as donating food, clothes, and money to the needy. These charitable acts are believed to attract divine blessings and enhance both spiritual fulfillment and material success. Offering help to those in need reflects the deeper essence of the festival—promoting well-being for all alongside personal prosperity.

How Labh Panchami is Celebrated in Gujarat

In Gujarat, Labh Panchami is celebrated with great enthusiasm as it marks the first working day of the New Year. After the Diwali festivities, the business community eagerly reopens their shops, offices, and establishments on this day. Entrepreneurs and traders start the day by performing puja for new account books, seeking divine blessings from Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha for a profitable and successful year ahead. Writing ‘Shubh’ and ‘Labh’ in the account ledgers, along with the Swastika symbol, reflects the hope for financial prosperity.

The streets and markets of Gujarat bustle with energy as families exchange sweets and visit relatives. People share gifts and sweets to strengthen relationships and express goodwill, making it a day of joy and unity. These exchanges are not limited to personal interactions; businesses also engage in gifting, reinforcing professional ties.

Community events and cultural gatherings are a hallmark of Labh Panchami, where people come together to celebrate the beginning of the Gujarati New Year. Religious ceremonies are often held in homes and temples, and acts of charity—such as donating food, clothes, or money to the less fortunate—are widely practiced, reflecting the spiritual essence of the festival.

Labh Panchami is a day of renewal and optimism, blending material aspirations with social harmony. It brings together the values of prosperity, knowledge, and generosity, setting a positive tone for the rest of the year, both personally and professionally.

Significance of Labh Panchami

Labh Panchami holds profound significance, especially in Gujarat, as it marks the end of Diwali festivities and serves as a day of new beginnings, prosperity, and good fortune. Closely linked with the themes of Diwali, the festival symbolizes the start of a fresh chapter in both personal and professional life. Observing rituals on this day is believed to attract wealth, happiness, and success, making it an important occasion for households and businesses alike.

For the business community, the reopening of businesses on this day reflects the significance of aligning professional growth with spiritual grace. Beyond financial success, Labh Panchami emphasizes the importance of relationships. The exchange of sweets and gifts with family, friends, and business associates symbolizes goodwill, harmony, and strengthened ties. This practice reflects the belief that nurturing personal and professional relationships leads to long-term happiness and success.

Spiritually, Labh Panchami fosters balance between material and spiritual prosperity. Devotees believe that by performing pujas and charitable acts, they invoke blessings that benefit all areas of life. The festival thus promotes a sense of well-being and generosity, inspiring individuals to share their wealth with the less fortunate.

Labh Panchami encapsulates the values of renewal, optimism, and unity, setting a positive tone for the New Year and encouraging prosperity, harmony, and fulfillment in both personal and professional pursuits.

Puja Vidhi: How to Perform Labh Panchami Puja

Labh Panchami Puja holds immense significance, especially for those seeking wealth, prosperity, and success. The rituals performed on this day are believed to bring divine blessings from Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi, helping devotees achieve personal and professional growth. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide to performing Labh Panchami Puja at home or at business establishments.

1. Early Morning Rituals

Wake up early and take a bath to purify the body and mind.
Offer Jal (water) to the Sun God (Surya), chanting mantras or prayers to invoke blessings for the day ahead. Surya is considered the giver of life and his blessings are sought for a successful year.

2. Preparation of the Puja Area

Select a clean area or altar to perform the puja.
Place the idols or pictures of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi on the altar.
Decorate the altar with flowers, incense sticks, lamps (diyas), and a rangoli. Lighting a diya symbolizes the removal of darkness and the arrival of auspiciousness.

3. Performing the Puja

Begin by offering sandalwood paste, vermilion (kumkum), rice grains (akshat), sweets like modaks, and fruits to Lord Ganesha. Ganesha’s blessings are sought first to remove obstacles.
Worship Goddess Lakshmi with roses, red clothes, perfumes, and fruits, praying for wealth and prosperity.
Chant mantras dedicated to Ganesha and Lakshmi, such as the Ganesh Atharvashirsha and Lakshmi Stotra, while offering flowers. These mantras invite divine energy and bring good fortune.

4. Account Ledger (Khatu) Puja

If you are a business owner, open your new account ledger (Khatu) for the year.
On the first page, draw a Swastika or Sathiya symbol, which signifies auspicious beginnings.
Write ‘Shubh’ (auspiciousness) on the left side and ‘Labh’ (profit) on the right side of the page.
Offer flowers and incense sticks, praying for a profitable business year.

5. Charity and Goodwill

As part of the Labh Panchami tradition, donate food, clothes, or money to the poor and needy. Acts of charity spread goodwill and ensure divine blessings.
It is believed that sharing wealth on this day invites more abundance and prosperity throughout the year.

Performing the Labh Panchami Puja with sincerity aligns devotees with positive energies, helping them attract success in both personal and professional life. The ritual encourages renewal, gratitude, and generosity, setting the tone for a productive and prosperous new year.

Conclusion

Labh Panchami marks a joyous culmination of the Diwali celebrations, embodying the spirit of prosperity, knowledge, and new beginnings. Particularly significant in Gujarat, this festival aligns both spirituality and commerce, bringing together families, friends, and business communities. By worshipping deities, opening account books, and performing acts of charity, devotees set the foundation for a fruitful and harmonious year ahead.

As the first working day of the Gujarati New Year, Labh Panchami serves as a reminder that prosperity is achieved not just through financial gain but also through meaningful relationships, wisdom, and kindness. Whether by starting new ventures, strengthening bonds, or helping the less fortunate, the festival inspires individuals to move forward with gratitude, hope, and enthusiasm.

May Labh Panchami 2024 bring wealth, happiness, and success to all!